O'Neill hails Villa late show

Jermain Defoe looked to have secured a point for the visitors when he cancelled out Olof Mellberg's opener but Martin Laursen popped up with five minutes remaining to maintain Villa's fine form over the festive period.

They have now claimed eight points from their four games and are well poised to make a push for a Champions League spot.

"I was worried before the game because Tottenham have been in fantastic form," O'Neill told Sky Sports 1.

"I was concerned about our energy because of the big efforts in games we've played recently.